The Year the Stuffing Failed — and Other Lessons on Gratitude

In this episode of Unfiltered Resilience, I take you with me through the Thanksgivings that shaped me — the ones spent at the Ann Carlson School, the few treasured trips home, the makeshift celebrations with chosen family, and the quiet holidays that look different as life and abilities change.These stories aren’t just about Thanksgiving. They’re about how all of us, disabled or not, learn to adapt — to new family dynamics, aging parents, limited energy, shifting abilities, and the emotional weight that holidays can carry.I share these moments not because they’re extraordinary, but because they’re relatable. Almost everyone has navigated holidays that didn’t go as planned, traditions that had to evolve, or unexpected feelings of loneliness after the celebrations end.In this episode, I talk about gratitude, frustration, bittersweet memories, and the small mindset shifts that can bring comfort when things don’t look like they used to. And if you’ve ever felt that post-holiday sadness, or had to reimagine what “holiday tradition” means in your own life, I hope you’ll hear a bit of your story in mine.You’re not alone.